First
Connection
F E B RUA RY 2015
First
Connection F E B RUA RY 2015
Contents
Our Mission: To make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
Our Vision: Meet Friends. Meet God. Discover Life.
A Word from Rev. Donnie.......................................1 Youth Winter Conference........................................2 New Members............................................................3 LECTIO: February Bible Readings.........................4 2015 Lent & Holy Week Events...............................5 Children’s Choir Schedule.................................. .....6 Easter Family Fun Day........................................ .....6 The Well: Miracles Become Mundane.......... .........7 Save the Dates & Announcements.................. .......9 Birthdays & Attendance.........................................12 Photos around church............................................13
Our Journey:
Our Practices: On the Cover: Bless the School @ Rugg Elementary , November 2014 First Connection is a publication from: First United Methodist Church of Alexandria 2727 Jackson Street Alexandria, Louisiana 71301 (318) 443-5696 www.fumca.org We would love to hear from you! Please send us your Feedback, Questions, Comments, Story Contributions, Photos, News or Ideas. Senior Pastor: Rev. Donnie Wilkinson, revdonnie@ fumca.org Editor: Julie Bacon, jbacon@fumca.org Contributor: Bill Sumrall, bsumrall@fumca.org
Rev. Donnie
A Word From Rev. Donnie If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take us their cross and follow me. -Matthew 16:24 It has been said that there have been just two great “Those who want to revolutions in human history. Only two that have save their life will forever changed humankind. lose it, and those who lose their life The first revolution was when someone observed that for my sake will when a seed is buried in the ground, it will sprout and find it.” The more I grow and produce new seeds. Even though it seems pray and study and to die when it is buried in the ground, in reality it is grow as a disciple bringing forth new life. of Jesus, the more I realize that this is not a command for us to grudgingly obey. It simply is the way things This single observation is what made it possible for are. human civilization to flourish. No longer were human beings forced to roam across the earth hunting and The rich, abundant, joyful life that is God’s dream for gathering food. Instead, we could harvest the power all God’s children is available to all who will take up hidden within a seed buried in the ground. This their cross and die to themselves. revolutionary insight is not a commandment to be believed-- it is just the way things are. As we approach the season of Lent, allow me to ask you a question, “What is Jesus calling you to die to so that The second revolution in human history is even more you can live?” powerful. This revolution was revealed when Jesus showed us that the same pattern applies not just to Grace & Peace, seeds, but to human beings. If we are to experience the power of life resurrected, we must first be willing to lay Rev. Donnie Wilkinson Senior Pastor our lives down.
whats new on fumca.org
Check out our daily devotions and quarterly bible readings accessible from the homepage menu (fumca.org/bible).
February 2015 | CONNECTION
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Youth Winter Conference 2015
February 6 & 7
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will. -Romans 12:2
Contact: Dylan Reed at dreed@fumca.org, 318-443-5696
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welcomes our new members!
Nicki Davis joined at The Well service on Sunday, December 28.
A NOTE of THANKS! Thank you to Ken Adams for taking care of the rose garden. Thank you Altar Guild for all the help you do placing flowers on the altar each Sunday to help beautify our sanctuary. -from the 50/50 Class
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Meets in the Fellowship Lounge every Wednesday, 10am Read online at fumca.org/bible
Daily Devotional Bible Reading Plan February
1 – Exodus 30-31; Acts 8 2 – Exodus 33-34; Psalm 16; Acts 9 3 – Exodus 35-36; Acts 10 4 – Exodus 37-38; Psalm 19; Acts 11 5 – Exodus 39-40; Psalm 15; Acts 12 6 – Leviticus 1-3; Acts 13 7 – Leviticus 4-6; Acts 14 8 – Leviticus 7-9; Acts 15 9 – Leviticus 10-12; Acts 16 10 – Leviticus 13-14; Acts 17 11 – Leviticus 15-17; Acts 18 12 – Leviticus 18-19; Psalm 13; Acts 19 13 – Leviticus 20-22; Acts 20 14 – Leviticus 23-24; Psalm 24; Acts 21
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15 – Leviticus 25; Psalm 25-26; Acts 22 16 – Leviticus 26-27; Acts 23 17 – Numbers 1-2; Acts 24 18 – Numbers 3-4; Acts 25 19 – Numbers 5-6; Psalm 22; Acts 26 20 – Numbers 7; Psalm 23; Acts 27 21 – Numbers 8-9; Acts 28 22 – Numbers 10-11; Psalm 27; Mark 1 23 – Numbers 12-13; Psalm 90; Mark 2 24 – Numbers 14-16; Mark 3 25 – Numbers 17-18; Psalm 29; Mark 4 26 – Numbers 19-20; Psalm 28; Mark 5 27 – Numbers 21-23; Mark 6-7 28 – Numbers 24-27; 1 Corinthians 13
Lent 2015 Holy Week
Events
Ash Wednesday, February 18 6 pm, Sanctuary
Palm Sunday - March 29
Maundy Thursday - April 2, 6 pm, Sanctuary
Good Friday - April 3, 6 pm, Sanctuary
Day of Compassion - April 4
Easter Sunday - April 5
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First Kidz - Children’s Choir
Children’s Choir Sings @ both 11am services the following Sunday’s: February 22 March 29 April 26 May 17
Children’s Choir practice Wednesday evenings @ The Gathering, 6-7pm email Elizabeth, egarvin@fumca.org for more details
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Miracles Become Mundane BY DC Sills, The Well Worship Leader
I recently had a phrase pop into my head and it said, “Miracles become mundane when we lose our sense of wonder.” Not sure where it came from or why it came, but be assured it will come out in a song one day and it is now coming out as part of this narrative. But the phrase stuck in my head and started me thinking about the season of Advent, which we recently journeyed through, and how the world had no idea the miracles that were to come. In Biblical times, prior to Jesus’ birth, the people were experiencing the 400 years of silence, which was the time between the Old Testament’s end and the beginning of the New Testament. Those 400 years were the time which God did not speak to the Jewish people. 400 YEARS, nothing, no miracles, no prophets…nothing… darkness and silence.
Can you imagine 400 years? To go from a close relationship with God, where he spoke to you directly and through prophets, to deafening silence that lasted generation after generation. Talk about living on faith! It brings a whole new meaning to the words written in Habakkuk 2:3 “For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.” 400 years seems like a long time to tarry! Each year as we experience the anticipation season of Advent and the start of our church year, we only have to wait 4 weeks before we celebrate the birth of Jesus. We are acutely aware during the Advent Season of the coming of a miracle, one that provided us with forgiveness and God’s unending grace. It is easy to see the wonder of Christmas through a child’s eyes and feel that wonder in our own hearts. …continued on page 8
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…continued from page 7 But it is not as easy to maintain that wonder throughout the remainder of the year. We often find ourselves feeling lost, empty and experiencing the silence of God and the lack of miracles in our lives. During the 4 weeks of Advent, our time of preparation for the birth of our Lord, our faith was tested, we experienced pain, sorrow and trials along with joy, peace, hope and love. In these months that follow Advent and Christmastime as we walk towards the Cross, we will have opportunities to witness miracles as well as oppor-
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tunities to dismiss miracles. We will have opportunities to be the answer to someone’s prayers. We will have the opportunity to open our hearts or to harden our hearts when we hear His voice. We will also have the opportunity to find Christ in every moment. And to be Christ to those who have never heard His voice, felt His love or experienced His grace. Don’t overlook what you think is mundane, because what is simple and mundane to you might be the miracle that someone else is waiting for… So be watchful and expectant ALWAYS…miracles are all around us, if we keep our sense of wonder! ☐
Sunday, February 8, UMW Sunday,
Guest Speaker Rev. Cathy Brewton of LifeHouse Ministries (lifehouseministriesinc.com)
Wednesday, April 1, First Kidz
Children’s Easter Program, 6:30 pm, Sanctuary
Saturday, April 4, Day of Compassion, Join us in the community. Details in next issue.
Contact: Clara Woolf, cwoolf@fumca.org
NEW MINISTRY: First Church is starting a new ministry of a work order system for those in need of handy jobs around the house. Please contact Randy Koncinsky at 318-452-1812 or Clara Woolf, cwoolf@fumca.org at the church office for more information.
It’s Coming Soon!
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Interested in helping?! Contact: Clara Woolf, cwoolf@fumca.org, 318-443-5696 10 February 2015 | CONNECTION
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Kimberly Shafer
Susan Goodwin Charles Robinson
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a d
h rt
William Murry
Gregory Andrus
Kristin Kiesewetter Gregory Schleifer Kim Sumrall
10 12
Josiah Hayes
Wade Morris Merrick Patton
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s y
18 20
Allyson Marlowe
Frank Bolton Kathryn Hageman L J Roy
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22 23
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Thomas Murphy Ashley Rhodes Stephen Knoles Harold Murry Mark Watson Lily Brown Alex Chapman Ann Jones
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Stacey Debevec Scott Netherland
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Cooper Clinton Diane Davidson
Robert Morrison Lou Richards Doris Scroggs Clara Woolf Danny Marrazzo Megan Roy Heather Wood
Attendance December 14, 2014 December 21, 2014 Christmas Eve December 28, 2014 January 4, 2015
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Church 319 247 514 147 329
Sunday School 89 106 60 94
The Gathering on January 7, 2015
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service 2014
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Foundation poured for the new brick fence facing Jackson Street on Friday, January 9, 2015.